Brossoit earns second career shutout in Jets win over Canucks

VANCOUVER - A total of 791 days have passed since Laurent Brossoit recorded his first career shutout. It came back on Dec. 22, 2018 in his home province of British Columbia, when he made 40 saves in front of friends and family in a 1-0 Winnipeg Jets win over the Vancouver Canucks.
On Friday night, he picked up right where he left off inside of Rogers Arena in Vancouver, backstopping the Jets to a 2-0 victory over the Canucks - and earning his second career shutout in the process.
"They all feel good, especially when it's in your hometown, it feels that much better," said Brossoit. "It's another good game to add to a good start to our season."

It was Brossoit's first start since Feb. 2 (a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames) but he showed no rust whatsoever. He credits that to the work he does with Jets goaltending coach Wade Flaherty in between starts.
"Whether I'm playing or I'm not, my day-to-day looks the same," said Brossoit. "I have my routine and I stick to it."
On the offensive side of things, Mark Scheifele's ninth goal - 7:25 into the opening period - stood up as the game-winner. Mason Appleton added an empty netter - his fifth goal of the season, tying a career-high - with 1:17 to go in regulation to seal it for the Jets (10-6-1)
Scheifele's goal extended his point streak to nine games, one short of his career-high, but Winnipeg's alternate captain was far more impressed with Brossoit's performance.
"He's been fantastic. Every game he comes in, he gives us a chance to win," said Scheifele. "It's pretty awesome that we have two great goalies that no matter who is in, we know we're going to get their best."

The tandem of Brossoit and Connor Hellebuyck is one the Jets have had since the start of the 2018-19 season and head coach Paul Maurice feels the familiarity is paying off.
"They have the same philosophies on where they're trying to put pucks off shots, how they get across the net on certain things," said Maurice. "They both play the puck with a similar mindset. So for your defence they get to come back to the same holes for the outlets. Two very big men, neither one of them scrambles. They're both square and strong in the net."
Only one puck got by Canucks starter Thatcher Demko on Friday, as he finished with 29 saves. The one that did beat him started at the other end of the ice.
The puck skipped by Canucks defenceman Alex Edler at the Jets blue line and Scheifele turned on the after burners and beat Edler to the puck. In alone on Demko, Scheifele make a quick deke to his backhand and flipped it home, extending his goal scoring streak to four games.
"I saw he was far out of the net, but he's a stellar goaltender - a big body. I just made my move and he bit a little bit," said Scheifele. "I was happy to put it in. I don't get many breakaways so it's fun when you put them in."

The second period may have been Brossoit's best. He made 11 saves, perhaps none better than a breakaway stop on Canucks defenceman Nate Schmidt.
"I felt fast today. On that breakaway, I was a bit too fast," Brossoit said. "I overreacted a bit and decided he was going blocker. I jammed my blocker out toward the puck and had a bit of an overreaction. I felt it drop so I just made sure I covered it up."
Vancouver outshot the Jets 9-8 in the final period but couldn't find the equalizer. As much as two points in the standings are important, the style of victory was equally important.
"Being able to be on the road, especially, and grind one," said Maurice. "They got very aggressive with their back end up the ice, there is confusion that causes. All the games that you can put together, have a low-scoring game, not have your forwards get frustrated because the offence isn't there for them is a really big part of it.
"But the confidence that they'll build on low scoring wins is important."
Oddly enough, the last time the Jets played the Canucks in late January, it was also coming off two games against the high-flying Edmonton Oilers.
Maurice felt the Jets did a much better job in handling the different style of play than they did last month.
"We accepted the game," said Maurice. "It's a completely different style of hockey that's played. With the exception of maybe the second half of the second period, we recognized the game that was being played very well."
With the win, the Jets are now 5-0-1 following a regulation loss this season. The wrap up the road trip on Sunday at Rogers Arena with a rematch against the Canucks.
"There are still things to fix," said Scheifele. "They're going to make their adjustments too, so we have to be ready for a big one two days from now."